"if you can't get what you need
you learn to need the things that stop you dreaming"
What stops you dreaming? I think that this song is a representation of hope in a bleak situation, much like several other songs of his. Each verse starts with the things he doesn't have (money, rocket, word, promise) and he shows that things could be worse (air in my lungs, eyes in my sockets/ heart is honest, word is true) and revels for a bit in the good things.
The chorus comes around like a mantra, something that someone down on their luck might repeat to themselves to make them feel better, give them strength, etc.
"If you can't get what you love, you learn to love the things you've got".
You Settle.
"And if you can't be what you want, you learn to be the thing's you're not"
You adapt.
"And if you can't get what you need, you learn to need the things that stop you dreaming"
You take a crutch, be it alcohol, gambling, tobacco, drugs, etc.
Ultimately, I feel like the things that stop you dreaming refers to alcohol, as passing out drunk doesn't result in dreams, but also it keeps him in a position that he cannot realize his dreams of bettering his life.
@mattdemanche To me the key is that last paragraph in your interpretation. The song is, in essence, the first step towards addiction and one of the most hidden aspects of it that those who never been on that slope sees. We drink, we take drugs, we do things we aren't supposed because it feels good - and when the rest of your life feels bad, it's nice ot have that escape. You give up your future - but that's okay, you have what makes you feel good now. So you end up needing these things ......
@mattdemanche To me the key is that last paragraph in your interpretation. The song is, in essence, the first step towards addiction and one of the most hidden aspects of it that those who never been on that slope sees. We drink, we take drugs, we do things we aren't supposed because it feels good - and when the rest of your life feels bad, it's nice ot have that escape. You give up your future - but that's okay, you have what makes you feel good now. So you end up needing these things ... the things that stop your dreaming.
"if you can't get what you need you learn to need the things that stop you dreaming"
What stops you dreaming? I think that this song is a representation of hope in a bleak situation, much like several other songs of his. Each verse starts with the things he doesn't have (money, rocket, word, promise) and he shows that things could be worse (air in my lungs, eyes in my sockets/ heart is honest, word is true) and revels for a bit in the good things.
The chorus comes around like a mantra, something that someone down on their luck might repeat to themselves to make them feel better, give them strength, etc. "If you can't get what you love, you learn to love the things you've got". You Settle. "And if you can't be what you want, you learn to be the thing's you're not" You adapt. "And if you can't get what you need, you learn to need the things that stop you dreaming" You take a crutch, be it alcohol, gambling, tobacco, drugs, etc.
Ultimately, I feel like the things that stop you dreaming refers to alcohol, as passing out drunk doesn't result in dreams, but also it keeps him in a position that he cannot realize his dreams of bettering his life.
@mattdemanche To me the key is that last paragraph in your interpretation. The song is, in essence, the first step towards addiction and one of the most hidden aspects of it that those who never been on that slope sees. We drink, we take drugs, we do things we aren't supposed because it feels good - and when the rest of your life feels bad, it's nice ot have that escape. You give up your future - but that's okay, you have what makes you feel good now. So you end up needing these things ......
@mattdemanche To me the key is that last paragraph in your interpretation. The song is, in essence, the first step towards addiction and one of the most hidden aspects of it that those who never been on that slope sees. We drink, we take drugs, we do things we aren't supposed because it feels good - and when the rest of your life feels bad, it's nice ot have that escape. You give up your future - but that's okay, you have what makes you feel good now. So you end up needing these things ... the things that stop your dreaming.